ANCIENT FAERIE LORE: FAERIE HERBS AND POTIONS

In Europe Scandinavian countries hold more appreciation and understanding of these Changling folklores and stories, than most lands. We begin in wonderment with another narrative in this series of events from Sweden. Grandmothers… the matriarchs of countless families idolized their grandchildren.

As her young grand babies slept peacefully, the hearth kept an uninterrupted log fire burning, especially if the child was yet to be christened. Water from bathing a newborn was never discarded. Any violation or neglect from these beliefs would incur the wrath of the trolls, and the intended victim would be stealthily kidnapped then exchanged during the midnight hours. Hence the word 'Changling.'

Another association regarding the faerie realm is the 'Tooth Faerie.' We all recall coins left under our pillows from this trustworthy entity. Although unlike images of Santa, as children we never saw nor connected 'her' with a feasible being.

Only visions of a beautifully fragile female creature, not unlike a dragon fly in her splendor would be associated with the tooth faerie. In reality, a caring female, she

ostensibly, even to this day, collects baby 'milk' teeth to thwart their use in magic. The children can anticipate visits during the ages of five to nine years, or even earlier.

Once able to independently attend school without the supervision of parents, the faerie remains to protect him/her during the transition. Although adults follow these customs, few realize the essential procedures to which they must observe.

While retrieving the milk teeth under a child's pillow, she expects the coins to be silver, the metal governed by the moon. Legend tells of teeth having a powerful identity that survive death, decay and burial. Maligned spirits were thought to be empowered by the DNA within, which allowed control over the individuals, especially children who are charged with such life forces and energy that spirits coveted their chromosomes.

Austria's tradition is to design a piece of jewelry from the first tooth as a means of protection.

As teeth are formed within the womb, they're considered a significance of life before birth, and powerfully recognized by the spirit and faerie world.

Of course with reasons of their own, the Japanese would hurl the 'top tooth' to the heavens, or it would be tossed over the roof of their home.

'Probably another shielding gesture for the family within. However the bottom tooth was buried, or concealed beneath the floor. This practice seemingly was to inspire the powers that be to initiate continual favorable growth throughout their home. Conceivably these practices are significant even today. We are all children albeit in diverse stages of life, and no doubt 'never considered the source of the familiar tooth faerie stories. Now you know…

GLEN VOLLMECKE Author: "Intermission a Place in Time."